Coastal system

The Coastal System

Coastal System - the coast is a narrow zone where the land and the sea overlap. Coats are perhaps the most varied and rapidly changing of landforms, as this is the zone that witnesses the interaction of many processes.

The System:-

Inputs - Wind direction, Fetch and Strength

Processes - Erosion, Transportation and Deposition

Output - Coastal landforms

What process help shape the coastline?

Erosion

Transportation

Deposition

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Sediment Sources and Cells

Sediment Sources:-The sources of sediment at the coast include coastal erosion, the sediment transported by rivers and the wind, shell and marine deposits transported either along the coast by longshore drift or onshore by ttides and currents. Sediments may also be lost to the coastal system if they are blown inland, transported offshore or removed by human action.

Sediment Cell:-A length of coastline that is relatively self-contained as far as the movement of sand or shingle is concerned and where interruption to such movement should not have a significant effect on adjacent sediment cells.

There are 11 on the England and Wales coastline.

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Waves

Waves:-are created by the action of wind on te surface of the sea.

Locally generated waves are typified by steeper, shorter period and higher-energy waveforms.